Who we are

We are a group of researchers who recognize the prejudice and discrimination that people with disabilities experience, and the reality that they often are unable to access equal rights. We recognize the need of governments and others to gain local and global knowledge about disability policies, programs and development initiatives related to the lives of persons with disabilities; at the same, time we recognize the importance of collaborative research and subscribe to the premise of 'nothing about us without us.'

Our skills

Our researchers have expertise in a broad range of subjects, including disability sport policy, elite sport and the Paralympic Games and Sport for All. Our members are trained in the disciplines of anthropology, architecture, critical disability studies, history, media studies, medicine, physical education and health, physiotherapy, psychology, sociology, and sport science. Some are educators and others are also active in furthering opportunities in sport for athletes with disability as administrators, coaches, umpires, classifiers. Many are active within sport and disability organizations as well.

What we do

We conduct research on disability in sport, physical activity and health. Health here is used in the broadest sense to include wellness and community health (and the work of Health Promoting Schools). The other research focus is that of the discrimination faced by women and girls, and the additional challenges encountered by women with disabilities who often have no access to sport and physical activity.

Why we do the work we do

Sport and physical activity can be transformational in the lives of persons with disabilities. It can also profoundly change the development of the communities in which persons with disabilities live. Sport successes often challenge the low expectations society has of the disabled and provide paths to inclusion. Similar to other countries, 12 percent of the Canadian population is disabled, and for those aged 65-plus, this rises to almost 50 percent (Statistics Canada, 2003); globally the number of disabled is estimated at 650 million, of which 400 million are in developing countries (UNDP, 2003). Prejudice and discrimination have led to varying degrees of neglect, isolation and poverty in all cultural environments; research can raise awareness and bring about change.

Where we are located

Our researchers are located in: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, Fiji, France, Ghana, Iran, Malaysia, Namibia, Poland, Qatar, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. To find contact information for individual researchers, see our Researchers page.

This site provides information on the activities of the Global Disability Research in Sport and Health Network, and is supported by the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences of the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto, Canada.

Page last updated: March 8, 2010.